[Needles stable carbon isotope composition and traits of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica in sparse wood grassland in south edge of Keerqin Sandy Land under the conditions of different precipitation]

A comparative study was conducted on the needles stable carbon isotope composition (delta13 C), specific leaf area (SLA), and dry matter content (DMC) of 19-year-old Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica trees in a sparse wood grassland in the south edge of Keerqin Sandy Land under the conditions of extreme drought and extreme wetness, aimed to understand the water use of Pinus sylvestris under the conditions of extreme precipitation. The soil water content and groundwater level were also measured. In the dry year (2009), the soil water content in the grassland was significantly lower than that in the wet year (2010), but the delta13C values of the current year-old needles had no significant difference between the two years and between the same months of the two years. The SLA of the current year-old needles was significantly lower in the dry year than in the wet year, but the DMC had no significant difference between the two years. Under the conditions of the two extreme precipitations, the water use efficiency of the trees did not vary remarkably, and the trees could change their needles SLA to adapt the variations of precipitation. For the test ecosystem with a groundwater level more than 3.0 m, extreme drought could have no serious impact on the growth and survival of the trees.

Abstract 3509: Intracranial administration of activated NK-cells and mAb9.2.27 against NG2/CSPG4 activates microglial cytotoxicity and prolongs survival in glioblastoma xenograft model

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most malignant brain tumour in adults with dismal prognosis despite multimodal treatment. We have previously shown that the NG2 proteoglycan mediates an aggressive disease course in GBMs and therefore aimed to target it using the monoclonal antibody 9.2.27 and adoptively transferred natural killer (NK) cells in athymic rats. We demonstrated that intracranial administration of activated NK cells and mAb9.2.27 eradicated established GBM and led to significantly increased survival, mediated by diminished tumour proliferation and increased cell death. The mechanisms involved sustained activation of pro-inflammatory ED1+CD8+ microglia and subsequent development of a Th1 immune response in the combination therapy compared to monotherapy controls. The Th1 response was characterized by increased tumour infiltration by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, as well as augmented IFN-γ and TNF-α release into the cerebrospinal fluid. Furthermore, we showed that activated NK cells released IFN-γ and TNF-α, they shifted activated microglia from M2- to highly cytotoxic M1-like phenotype and preferentially killed M2-microglia compared to M1-microglia in vitro. These findings implicate NK cells in the pro-inflammatory environment that facilitated the tumour cytotoxicity by microglia in vivo. Our results suggest that the administration of activated NK cells and mAb9.2.27 is a promising approach to treat GBM.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3509. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3509

Cerebral protective effect of nicorandil premedication on patients undergoing liver transplantation

BACKGROUND

Neurological injury is a common complication in the early period after liver transplantation, posing an enormous obstacle to treatment efficiency and patient survival. Nicorandil is a mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channel (mitoKATP) opener. It has been reported to be effective in reducing brain injury in recent studies. However, it is still unclear whether nicorandil has cerebral protective effect in patients undergoing liver transplantation.

METHODS

Fifty patients scheduled for liver transplantation were randomly divided into a nicorandil group (group N) (n=25), in which patients received 10 mg nicorandil through a nasogastric tube 30 minutes before induction of anesthesia, and a control group (group C) (n=25) who received 10 mL normal saline. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was performed before anesthesia (day 0), and on days 3 and 7 after surgery. Blood samples were obtained before induction of anesthesia (T1), and at 12 (T2) and 36 hours (T3) after surgery for determination of serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and S100β protein (S100β) concentrations.

RESULTS

During surgery, 5 patients in each group were eliminated due to severe reperfusion or renal insufficiency. Therefore, 20 patients remained in each group. The MMSE scores after operation were significantly lower than those before operation in group C. However, there was no difference at days 3 and 7 compared with day 0 in group N. Serum NSE concentrations after surgery were significantly higher than baseline (at T1) in both groups, except at T3 in group N. Serum S100β concentration after surgery was significantly higher than baseline (at T1) in both groups. The MMSE scores at days 3 and 7 in group N were significantly higher than those in group C. The concentrations of serum NSE and S100β at T2 and T3 in group N were significantly lower than those in group C.

CONCLUSIONS

Oral nicorandil, as a premedication before liver transplantation, improves postoperative MMSE scores. It also attenuates the increase of NSE and S100β in blood, indicating its cerebral protective effect.

ARID2: a new tumor suppressor gene in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide, however, genetic-environmental interactions and mechanisms associated with the development of HCC remains largely unclear. Our recent work described novel inactivating mutations of ARID2 (AT-rich interactive domain 2) in four major subtypes of HCC through exomic sequencing of ten HCV-associated HCCs and subsequent evaluation of the tumors from additional affected individuals. Here, we summarize the current knowledge about the relevance of ARID2 in HCC and the implication in future patient care.

The population structure of Escherichia coli isolated from subtropical and temperate soils

While genotypically-distinct naturalized Escherichia coli strains have been shown to occur in riparian soils of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior watersheds, comparative analyses of E. coli populations in diverse soils across a range of geographic and climatic conditions have not been investigated. The main objectives of this study were to: (a) examine the population structure and genetic relatedness of E. coli isolates collected from different soil types on a tropical island (Hawaii), and (b) determine if E. coli populations from Hawaii and temperate soils (Indiana, Minnesota) shared similar genotypes that may be reflective of biome-related soil conditions. DNA fingerprint and multivariate statistical analyses were used to examine the population structure and genotypic characteristics of the E. coli isolates. About 33% (98 of 293) of the E. coli from different soil types and locations on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, had unique DNA fingerprints, indicating that these bacteria were relatively diverse; the Shannon diversity index for the population was 4.03. Nearly 60% (171 of 293) of the E. coli isolates from Hawaii clustered into two major groups and the rest, with two or more isolates, fell into one of 22 smaller groups, or individual lineages. Multivariate analysis of variance of 89, 21, and 106 unique E. coli DNA fingerprints for Hawaii, Indiana, and Minnesota soils, respectively, showed that isolates formed tight cohesive groups, clustering mainly by location. However, there were several instances of clonal isolates being shared between geographically different locations. Thus, while nearly identical E. coli strains were shared between disparate climatologically- and geographically-distinct locations, a vast majority of the soil E. coli strains were genotypically diverse and were likely derived from separate lineages. This supports the hypothesis that these bacteria are not unique and multiple genotypes can readily adapt to become part of the soil autochthonous microflora.

Abstract 3053: Combination Niaspan With Bone Marrow Stromal Cell Treatment Of Stroke In Diabetic Rats

Background and Purpose: Our previous studies have found that cell therapy with bone-marrow-stromal cells (BMSCs) improves functional recovery after stroke in non-diabetic, but not in diabetic rats. BMSC treatment of stroke in type one diabetic (T1DM) rats increases brain hemorrhage and arteriosclerosis. Niaspan (a prolonged release formulation of niacin) treatment of stroke increases vascular stabilization and decreases arteriosclerosis in wild type (WT) rats. This study investigated the effect of combination therapy of BMSCs with Niaspan on stroke outcome and arteriosclerosis in T1DM rats.

Methods: T1DM was induced in adult male Wistar rats by injecting streptozotocin. Non-diabetic and T1DM-rats were subjected to 2hours of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo). The rats were treated with: 1) PBS as control; 2) BMSCs BMSCs (3X10 6 ) alone; 3) Niaspan (40mg/kg) alone daily for 14 days; 4) BMSCs (3X10 6 )+Niaspan (40mg/kg, daily for 14 days) combination starting at 24 hours after MCAo and rats monitored for 14 days.

Results: Functional benefit was not detected in T1DM-MCAo treated with BMSCs rats compared to T1DM-MCAo controls. BMSC treatment in T1DM-MCAo-rats had increased mortality, blood-brain barrier (BBB) leakage and brain hemorrhage. Internal carotid artery neointimal formation and cerebral arteriole narrowing/occlusion were also observed in T1DM-MCAo+BMSCs rats compared to T1DM-MCAo controls (p<0.05). We further studied the underlying mechanisms responsible for BMSC-induced BBB leakage and accelerated vascular damage in T1DM-MCAo-rats. We found that the expression of angiogenin (an angiogenic factor) and ED1 (a marker for macrophages) were significantly increased in the T1DM-MCAo+BMSCs rats in the ischemic brain and in the internal carotid artery compared to non-treated T1DM-MCAo rats. However, combination BMSCs with Niaspan significantly improves functional outcome after stroke, decreases Angiogenin, ED1 and MMP9 expression in the ischemic brain as well as decreases brain hemorrhage and cerebral arteriosclerosis compared to T1DM-MCAo control or T1DM+BMSCs alone groups.

Conclusions: Combination therapy using BMSCs with Niaspan improves functional outcome and decreases BBB leakage and cerebral artery neointimal formation and arteriosclerosis. This therapeutic benefit may be attributed to the combination mediated decreased expression of angiogenin and anti-inflammatory effects.

Polymorphisms in the potential functional regions of the TGF-β 1 and TGF-β receptor genes and disease susceptibility in HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma patients

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a disease of multiple etiologies caused by the accumulation of genetic and epigenetic defects. Current evidence indicates that the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling pathway has a significant impact on different cellular process. Members of the TGF-β superfamily (TGF-β1, the type I TGF-β receptor [TβRI], type II TGF-β receptor [TβRII], and type III TGF-β receptor]) play an important role in tumorigenesis. Numerous studies show that genetic polymorphisms in TGF-β superfamily genes are associated with HCC in East Asian populations. We studied 16 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in four genes (TGF-β1, TβRI, TβRII, and TβRIII) to examine their associations with hepatocarcinogenesis. A total of 1228 Chinese Han participants were enrolled in the study (881 control participants who were negative for all hepatitis B virus [HBV] serum markers and 347 case participants with HBV-related HCC). Genotyping was conducted using the TaqMan method. The results showed that the frequency of the rs1805110 T allele was significantly higher in the case group than in the control group (P = 0.034). After stratification, the results for rs1805110 remained significant in male participants (P = 0.005), but there was no statistical difference in females. In males, the frequency of the C-C-G-C-A haplotype resulting from SNPs rs1805110, rs2810904, rs1805112, rs284878, and rs1804506 in TβRIII was significantly lower in the case group than in the control group (P = 0.001), whereas the reverse was true for the T-C-G-C-A haplotype (P = 0.036). We conclude that the rs1805110T allele is associated with susceptibility to HBV-related HCC in males.

Niaspan increases axonal remodeling after stroke in type 1 diabetes rats

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

We investigated axonal plasticity in the bilateral motor cortices and the long term therapeutic effect of Niaspan on axonal remodeling after stroke in type-1 diabetic (T1DM) rats.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHES

T1DM was induced in young adult male Wistar rats via injection of streptozotocin. T1DM rats were subjected to 2h transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) and were treated with 40 mg/kg Niaspan or saline starting 24 h after MCAo and daily for 28 days. Anterograde tracing using biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) injected into the contralateral motor cortex was performed to assess axonal sprouting in the ipsilateral motor cortex area. Functional outcome, SMI-31 (a pan-axonal microfilament marker), Bielschowsky silver and synaptophysin expression were measured. In vitro studies using primary cortical neuron (PCN) cultures and in vivo BDA injection into the brain to anterogradely label axons and terminals were employed.

RESULTS

Niaspan treatment of stroke in T1DM-MCAo rats significantly improved functional outcome after stroke and increased SMI-31, Bielschowsky silver and synaptophysin expression in the ischemic brain compared to saline treated T1DM-MCAo rats (p<0.05). Using BDA to anterograde label axons and terminals, Niaspan treatment significantly increased axonal density in ipsilateral motor cortex in T1DM-MCAo rats (p<0.05, n=7/group). Niacin treatment of PCN significantly increased Ang1 expression under high glucose condition. Niacin and Ang1 significantly increased neurite outgrowth, and anti-Ang1 antibody marginally attenuated Niacin induced neurite outgrowth (p=0.06, n=6/group) in cultured PCN under high glucose condition.

CONCLUSION

Niaspan treatment increased ischemic brain Ang1 expression and promoted axonal remodeling in the ischemic brain as well as improved functional outcome after stroke. Ang1 may partially contribute to Niaspan-induced axonal remodeling after stroke in T1DM-rats.

Neuronal markers are expressed in human gliomas and NSE knockdown sensitizes glioblastoma cells to radiotherapy and temozolomide

BACKGROUND

Expression of neuronal elements has been identified in various glial tumors, and glioblastomas (GBMs) with neuronal differentiation patterns have reportedly been associated with longer survival. However, the neuronal class III β-tubulin has been linked to increasing malignancy in astrocytomas. Thus, the significance of neuronal markers in gliomas is not established.

METHODS

The expressions of class III β-tubulin, neurofilament protein (NFP), microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) were investigated in five GBM cell lines and two GBM biopsies with immunocytochemistry and Western blot. Moreover, the expression levels were quantified by real-time qPCR under different culture conditions. Following NSE siRNA treatment we used Electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) to monitor cell growth and migration and MTS assays to study viability after irradiation and temozolomide treatment. Finally, we quantitated NSE expression in a series of human glioma biopsies with immunohistochemistry using a morphometry software, and collected survival data for the corresponding patients. The biopsies were then grouped according to expression in two halves which were compared by survival analysis.

RESULTS

Immunocytochemistry and Western blotting showed that all markers except NFP were expressed both in GBM cell lines and biopsies. Notably, qPCR demonstrated that NSE was upregulated in cellular stress conditions, such as serum-starvation and hypoxia, while we found no uniform pattern for the other markers. NSE knockdown reduced the migration of glioma cells, sensitized them to hypoxia, radio- and chemotherapy. Furthermore, we found that GBM patients in the group with the highest NSE expression lived significantly shorter than patients in the low-expression group.

CONCLUSIONS

Neuronal markers are aberrantly expressed in human GBMs, and NSE is consistently upregulated in different cellular stress conditions. Knockdown of NSE reduces the migration of GBM cells and sensitizes them to hypoxia, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. In addition, GBM patients with high NSE expression had significantly shorter survival than patients with low NSE expression. Collectively, these data suggest a role for NSE in the adaption to cellular stress, such as during treatment.

P3-16-10: The Efficacy of Zoledronic Acid in Breast Cancer Adjuvant Therapy: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background: The effect of zoledronic acid in breast cancer adjuvant therapy concerning improvement of patient survival has yet to be confirmed. We performed a meta-analysis of published and unpublished randomized controlled trials with the aim of accurate evaluation between clinical outcome and the association of the addition of zoledronic acid to adjuvant therapy.

Methods: We searched Pubmed (from 1966 to present) and online abstracts from the proceeding Annual Meetings of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (years 1992–2010) and online abstracts from San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (years 2004–2010). A total of five eligible studies including 3676 subjects and 3678 controls met our search criteria and were evaluated. Random and fixed-effects meta-analytical models were used where indicated, and between-study heterogeneity was assessed. The primary study endpoints were the DFS. Secondary endpoints were OS, distant or loco-regional recurrence free survival and bone metastasis free survival.

Results: Compared with the control arm, adjuvant breast cancer treatment with zoledronic acid did not significantly improve overall survival (OS), disease free survival (DFS), bone metastasis free survival, distant and locoregional recurrence free survival. However, in the postmenopausal subgroup, the addition of zoledronic acid to standard therapy could significantly improve DFS (RR=0.763, 95%CI 0.658−0.884, p&lt;0.001) and reduce the risk of distant (RR=0.744, 95% CI 0.611−0.906, p=0.003) and locoregional recurrence (RR=0.508, 95% CI 0.340−0.760, p=0.001).

Discussion: Adjuvant zoledronic acid may potentially improve the prognosis of postmenopausal patients. Additional studies are needed to evaluate the value of adjuvant treatment of zoledronic acid in premenopausal couterparts, differing disease stages, and various pathological types of breast cancer.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-16-10.

Assessing the severity of rainfall-derived infiltration and inflow and sewer deterioration based on the flux stability of sewage markers

This study investigated the flux stability of select chemical and biological sewage markers, including caffeine, total nitrogen (TN), total suspended solids (TSS), E. coli, and enterococci, and their suitability in assessing the severity of rainfall-derived infiltration and inflow (RDII) in a residential sewershed. To quantify and compare marker flux stability, concentrations of the candidate markers in two dry-weather periods were determined and the one-day lag autocorrelation coefficients (r) of their mass fluxes were calculated. TN (r = 0.82-0.88) exhibited higher and more consistent flux stability than TSS (r = 0.49-0.82), caffeine (r = 0.56-0.58), E. coli (r = 0.36-0.87), and enterococci (by culture; r = 0.40-0.52), all of which except enterococci by qPCR (r = -0.10-0.21) showed significant autocorrelation. Sewage flows and marker concentrations were also monitored in two wet-weather periods, and the severity of RDII (R(RDII)) were calculated using either flow measurements or marker concentrations independently. Corresponding to its outstanding flux stability, R(RDII) values estimated by TN predicted all severe RDII instances and gave the highest and most consistent correlation (r = 0.74-0.78) among the different sewage markers. Overall, the study illustrated the feasibility of using the flux stability of sewage markers in assessing the severity of RDII and thereby deterioration levels in sewer systems.

Adverse effects of bone marrow stromal cell treatment of stroke in diabetic rats

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Cell therapy with bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) improves functional recovery after stroke in nondiabetic rats. However, its effect on diabetics with stroke is unknown. This study investigated the effect of BMSCs on stroke outcome in Type 1 diabetic (T1DM) rats.

METHODS

T1DM was induced in adult male Wistar rats by injecting streptozotocin. Nondiabetic and T1DM rats were subjected to 2 hours of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), treated with or without BMSCs (3×10(6)) at 24 hours after MCAO, and monitored for 14 days.

RESULTS

Functional benefit was not detected in T1DM-MCAO treated with BMSC rats compared with corresponding T1DM-MCAO controls. BMSC treatment in T1DM-MCAO rats had increased mortality, blood-brain barrier leakage, brain hemorrhage, and angiogenesis. Internal carotid artery neointimal formation and cerebral arteriole narrowing/occlusion were also observed in T1DM-MCAO+BMSCs rats compared with T1DM-MCAO controls (P<0.05), but not in nondiabetic stroke rats. We further studied the underlying mechanisms responsible for BMSC-induced blood-brain barrier leakage and accelerated vascular damage in T1DM-MCAO rats. We found that the expression of angiogenin (an angiogenic factor) and ED1 (a marker for macrophages) was significantly increased in the T1DM-MCAO+BMSC rats in the ischemic brain and internal carotid artery compared with nontreated T1DM-MCAO rats, but not in nondiabetic stroke rats.

CONCLUSIONS

BMSC therapy in T1DM-MCAO rats does not improve functional outcome. On the contrary, it increases blood-brain barrier leakage and cerebral artery neointimal formation, and arteriosclerosis, which possibly is due to increased expression of angiogenin. Thus, BMSC treatment starting 24 hours after MCAO may not be beneficial for diabetic subjects with stroke.

A Bayesian approach to analyze energy balance data from lactating dairy cows

The objective of the present investigation was to develop a Bayesian framework for updating and integrating covariate information into key parameters of metabolizable energy (ME) systems for dairy cows. The study addressed specifically the effects of genetic improvements and feed quality on key parameters in current ME systems. These are net and metabolizable energy for maintenance (NE(M) and ME(M), respectively), efficiency of utilization of ME for milk production (k(L)) and growth (k(G)), and efficiency of utilization of body stores for milk production (k(T)). Data were collated from 38 studies, yielding 701 individual cow observations on milk energy, ME intake, and tissue gain and loss. A function based on a linear relationship between milk energy and ME intake and correcting for tissue energy loss or gain served as the basis of a full Bayesian hierarchical model. The within-study variability was modeled by a Student t-distribution and the between-study variability in the structural parameters was modeled by a multivariate normal distribution. A meaningful relationship between genetic improvements in milk production and the key parameters could not be established. The parameter k(L) was linearly related to feed metabolizability, and the slope predicted a 0.010 (-0.0004; 0.0210) change per 0.1-unit change in metabolizability. The effect of metabolizability on k(L) was smaller than assumed in present feed evaluation systems and its significance was dependent on collection of studies included in the analysis. Three sets of population estimates (with 95% credible interval in parentheses) were generated, reflecting different degrees of prior belief: (1) Noninformative priors yielded 0.28 (0.23; 0.33) MJ/(kg(0.75)d), 0.55 (0.51; 0.58), 0.86 (0.81; 0.93) and 0.66 (0.58; 0.75), for NE(M), k(L), k(G), and k(T), respectively; (2) Introducing an informative prior that was derived from a fasting metabolism study served to combine the most recent information on energy metabolism in modern dairy cows. The new estimates of NE(M), k(L), k(G) and k(T) were 0.34 (0.28; 0.39) MJ/(kg(0.75)d), 0.58 (0.54; 0.62), 0.89 (0.85; 0.95), and 0.69 (0.60; 0.79), respectively; (3) finally, all informative priors were used that were established from literature, yielding estimates for NE(M), k(L), k(G), and k(T) of 0.29 (0.11; 0.46) MJ/(kg(0.75)d), 0.60 (0.54; 0.70), 0.70 (0.50; 0.88), and 0.80 (0.67; 0.97), respectively. Bayesian methods are especially applicable in meta-analytical studies as information can enter at various stages in the hierarchical model.

Impact of different land uses on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contamination in coastal stream sediments

PAHs are ubiquitous environmental pollutants that can cause adverse health and ecological effects. In the present study, we examined the impact of land use on the concentration and composition of PAHs in 28 coastal stream sediments on the Island of Oahu, Hawaii. In densely populated urban areas, the concentration range of total PAHs in the stream sediments affected by mixed residential and industrial activities (RI) are 0.40-9.05 ppm, which is significantly higher than the 0.36-4.21 ppm detected in the stream sediments affected predominantly by urban residential land uses (UR). The stream sediments affected by agricultural activities (AG) reported a concentration range of 0.09-2.14 ppm, which is lower than those of the RI and UR stream sediments. The molecular weight of PAH is a factor, as only high molecular weight (HMW) PAHs were significantly affected by land uses (ANOVA P=0.009). Correlation analysis showed that only in the UR stream sediments were significant correlations observed between PAH concentration and two anthropogenic indicators: population density (r=0.57, P=0.027) and vehicle density (r=0.55, P=0.034). The fractional concentrations of PAHs were analyzed by using PCA analysis, which led to the separate clustering of the RI and AG stream sediments and suggest distinct PAH sources between the two land uses. Two PAH source indicators, including Ant/(Ant+Phe) and Fl/(Fl+Py), indicates that PAHs sources in the RI stream sediments are most likely of petroleum origin, while PAHs in the UR and AG stream sediments most likely came from combustion activities. In addition, the concentration and relative potency of carcinogenic PAHs in the coastal stream sediments exhibited similar patterns as the total PAH concentration with respect to land uses.

Effects of land uses on fecal indicator bacteria in the water and soil of a tropical watershed

Effects of different land uses on densities of Escherichia coli, enterococci, and Clostridium perfringens in the water and soil of a tropical watershed were investigated. Densities of fecal indicator bacteria (FIBs) in the watershed exhibited a clear land-use dependency in the stream water. Significantly higher concentrations were detected in the urban portion of the stream (417, 420, and 44 CFU 100 mL(-1) for E. coli, enterococci, and C. perfringens, respectively) than in the forest portion (54, 32, and 5 CFU 100 mL(-1) for E. coli, enterococci, and C. perfringens, respectively). High concentrations of FIBs were also detected in the soil of the watershed with concentration ranges of 603-1,820,000, 69-17,000, and 0-525 CFU 100 g soil(-1) for E. coli, enterococci, and C. perfringens, respectively, which however were not affected by the different land uses. Prior cumulative rainfall significantly correlated with concentrations of E. coli and enterococci in the urban stream water (r=0.73-0.87, P<0.05), but not with the alternative FIB C. perfringens. Poor correlations were observed in the forest reach of the stream for all FIBs. Furthermore, the concentration of C. perfringens only correlated strongly and significantly with E. coli and enterococci in stream water (r=0.70-0.82, P<0.05), but not in tropical soil, indicating different survival and transport behaviors.

Effect of dietary fibre on reproductive performance of sows during the first two parities

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary fibre on reproductive performance during the first two parities. Gilts were randomly allocated to receive three fibrous diets from days 1-90 of gestation, including low fibre [low fiber (LF), 10.8% neutral detergent fiber (NDF), n=132], middle fibre [middle fiber (MF), 15.8% NDF, n=132] and high fibre diet (HF, 20.8% NDF, n=135), until completion of the second parity. Response criteria included backfat measurements, litter size and pig weight at parturition and day 22 of lactation, weaning-oestrus-interval, oestrus rate, sow farrowing and culling rate, uniformity of newborns and relative organ weights. The results showed sows fed LF diet in parity 1 gained more backfat (p<0.05) during gestation but lost more (p<0.05) during lactation than sows fed HF diet. Furthermore, sows fed LF diet farrowed more pigs (+0.7-1.1 pigs, p<0.05) and pigs born alive (+1.0 pigs, p<0.05) relative to sows fed HF diet. Likewise, sows fed LF and MF diets had greater litter weights at parturition (both p=0.06) and day 22 after lactation (both p<0.05). In parity 2, yet, it was MF diet to increase both total pigs born and pigs born alive (+0.9-1.1 pigs, p<0.05) and litter weight (p=0.05) relative to other diets. After 22 d of lactation, intriguingly, sows fed HF diet had most pigs alive (p<0.01-0.07) and heavier litter weight (p=0.07 or 0.2). Feeding HF diet also increased internal organs weight of newborns (p<0.05). Collectively, feeding LF and MF diets had beneficial effects on litter weight at parturition and day 22 of lactation in parity 1, and feeding MF diet until parity 2 was able to improve litter size and weight at parturition, but this positive effect disappeared after 22 days of lactation, instead feeding HF diet showed the optimal litter performance.

Formation mechanism of black LiTaO3single crystals through chemical reduction

Lithium tantalate (LiTaO3, LT) wafers of different colors were prepared through chemical reduction of regular congruent LT wafers. Samples with different colors corresponding to different annealing temperatures were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and measurements of the Curie temperature and density. It was found that chemical reduction does not influence the basic LT structure. The Ta charge state change due to chemical reduction was found to be the main reason for the formation of black LT wafers.

Effects of dietary supplementation of methionine and lysine on milk production and nitrogen utilization in dairy cows

The effect of the content of lysine and methionine in metabolizable protein (MP) on lactation performance and N utilization in Chinese Holstein cows was determined. A control diet (C) was formulated to be adequate in energy but slightly limiting in MP. The concentration of Met and Lys in MP was 1.87 and 5.93%, respectively. The treatments were as follows (% of Met or Lys in MP): L=diet C supplemented with L-lysine-HCl at 0.49% on a dry matter (DM) basis (Met, 1.87; Lys, 7.00); M=diet C supplemented with 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)-butanoic acid (HMB) at 0.15% (Met, 2.35; Lys, 5.93); ML=diet C supplemented with 0.49% L-lysine HCl and 0.15% HMB (Met, 2.39; Lys, 7.10). The diets were fed to 60 Chinese Holsteins in mid-lactation (average days in milk=120, and milk yield=32.0 kg/d) for 8 wk. Milk yield was increased by supplementation of either Lys (1.5 kg/d) or Met (2.0 kg/d), and supplementation of both Lys and Met further increased milk yield (3.8 kg/d). There was no significant difference in dry matter intake across treatment groups. Cows on treatments M (3.95%) and ML (3.90%) had higher milk fat content than those on C (3.60%) and L (3.67%), but there were no significant differences in milk protein and lactose contents or somatic cell count among treatments. Supplementation of Met or Lys significantly increased Met or Lys concentration in arterial plasma. Treatment ML had a higher conversion of intake N to milk N and lower urea N concentrations in serum, urine, and milk than did treatment C. Supplementing HMB and L-lysine-HCl to provide approximately 2.3% Met and 7.0% Lys of the MP in diets slightly limiting in MP increased milk production, milk protein yield, and N utilization efficiency.

[Peri-operative treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma patients complied with cirrhosis and hypersplenism]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the influence of combined hepatectomy with splenectomy on safety of operation for hepatocellular carcinoma patients complied with cirrhosis and hypersplenism and the best peri-operative treatment of these patients.

METHODS

Clinical data of 177 hepatocellular carcinoma patients complied with cirrhosis and hypersplenism admitted from January 1999 to December 2009 were analyzed retrospectively. Among which, 71 patients received concomitant splenectomy with hepatectomy (splenectomy group), 106 patients only receive a hepatectomy (non-splenectomy group). The safety of operation, complications, liver function and WBC and PLT counts were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference of general conditions, counts of WBC and PLT between the two groups before operation. The counts of PLT at 1, 10, 30 day after operation were (88.4 ± 23.6) × 10⁹/L, (345.3 ± 98.2) × 10⁹/L and (210.8 ± 92.2) × 10⁹/L respectively in splenectomy group, which were significantly higher than that of non-splenectomy group (P < 0.05). The operation time of splenectomy group was (216 ± 105) min, which was longer than that of non splenectomy group (P < 0.05), but the blood loss and transfusion rate had not significantly difference between the two groups. The complication rates of splenectomy group and non-splenectomy group were 11.3% and 6.6% respectively, there was no significant difference between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Combined hepatectomy with splenectomy will be safe for hepatocellular carcinoma patients complied with cirrhosis and hypersplenism as if the operative indication and increase the ability of peri-operative treatment are strictly obeyed.

Effect of mtDNA mutation on tumor malignant degree in patients with prostate cancer

OBJECTIVES

To understand mtDNA mutation frequency in patients with prostate cancer (Pca) and its effect on malignant degree of PCa.

METHODS

A total of 130 patients (mean age, 70.1 +/- 2.4; range, 58-97 years) undergoing either prostate biopsy or radical prostatectomy between October 2006 and March 2008 were included. Additionally, 61 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (mean age, 69.9 +/- 1.1; range, 60-92 years) were included as a control group. The normal cells were isolated from each prostate cancer specimen by microdissection. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA4977) deletion mutations were identified by polymerase chain reaction. Gleason scores were determined by histopathology.

RESULTS

Among the 130 Pca samples vs. 61 BPH samples, mtDNA4977 deletion mutation was detected in 98 cases (98/130, 75.4%) vs. in 9 cases (9/61, 14.7%) (P < 0.01, P = 0.001). There was a significantly higher prevalence of the mtDNA4977 deletion mutation in patients with prostate cancer compared to patients with BPH (P < 0.01). The incidence of the mtDNA4977 deletion in normal cells isolated from cancer specimen was 10.76% (14/130), which was significantly lower than that in prostate cancer group(P < 0.01). However, there was no significant difference versus BPH group (P > 0.5). Gleason scores were significantly higher in the group of patients with cancer with the mutation (7.6 +/- 2.4), compared to those without the mutation (6.2 +/- 1.1, P < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that Gleason scores (OR = 1.642, 95% CI: 1.232-2.183) and age (OR = 1.061, 95% CI: 1.041-1.082) are both independent predictors of the mtDNA4977 deletion mutations.

CONCLUSIONS

mtDNA4977 deletion mutation frequency may be useful as a biomarker in malignant degree appraisal in patients with Pca.

[Clinical effects of alprostadil injection on acute kidney injury after cardiac surgical procedures]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the clinical effects of alprostadil injection on acute kidney injury (AKI) after cardiac surgical procedures by a prospective randomized controlled trial.

METHODS

A total of 63 AKI-patients after cardiac surgical procedures were randomly divided into the control group (n = 31) and the study group (n = 32). All patients received routine therapy while patients in the study group were additionally given alprostadil injection (10 µg i.v. once every 12 hours) for 7 days. A 11-year-old patient weighing 29 kg was given half of the conventional dose. During the period of control treatment (7 days), 1 patient in the control group and 2 patients in the study group were excluded because of hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. Urine volume, urine β-N-acetylglucosaminidase, urine α(1)-microglobulin, urine β(2)-microglobulin, serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen were measured before and after the control treatment. And the ICU stay duration and the percentage of dialysis after the control treatment were calculated. Adverse reactions of alprostadil injection were observed simultaneously in the study group.

RESULTS

After the treatment, urine volume in the study group was obviously more than that in the control group [(65.9 ± 3.1) ml/h vs (58.8 ± 4.5) ml/h, P < 0.05] while urine β-N-acetylglucosaminidase, urine α(1)-microglobulin, urine β(2)-microglobulin, serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen in the study group were obviously lower than those in the control group (all P < 0.05). The ICU stay duration in the study group was obviously less than that in the control group [(12 ± 5) d vs (17 ± 5) d, P < 0.05]. But there was no significant difference in the percentage of dialysis after the control treatment between two groups (3.3% vs 6.7%, P > 0.05). And no serious adverse reaction was reported in the study group.

CONCLUSION

On the basis of routine therapy, alprostadil injection may promote the recovery of renal function in AKI-patients after cardiac surgical procedures.

Effects of autochthonous microbial community on the die-off of fecal indicators in tropical beach sand

The recently observed high levels of fecal indicators in beach sand confound beach water monitoring efforts. The high levels of fecal indicators may be caused by the loss or the reduced activities of common environmental stresses controlling die-off in the sand. Microcosm experiments were conducted to compare the effects of biotic stresses from autochthonous sand bacteria, protozoa, and viruses on Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis in two tropical beach sands. The inhibition of protozoan activities by cycloheximide did not significantly affect the die-off of E. coli, indicating that protozoan predation played a limited role in beach sand. The contribution from phage infection to E. coli die-off was also negligible. Consequently, autochthonous bacteria were identified as the predominant biotic stress to the die-off of E. coli in beach sand. Subsequent experiments demonstrated that the beach sand had a very low protozoan concentration and low protozoan growth potential when compared with various environmental samples. Co-culturing of E. coli with autochthonous sand bacterial isolates significantly enhanced E. coli die-off. PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis revealed a complex sand bacterial community, suggesting that bacterial antagonistic effects may be widespread. The study also found that E. faecalis exhibited a much longer survival in beach sand compared with E. coli.

[The clinical characteristics of hepatic failure with aspergillosis]

OBJECTIVES

To study the clinical characteristics of hepatic failure with aspergillosis.

METHODS

The data of hepatic failure patients with fungal infection hospitalized in our hospital form January 1985 to June 2006 were collected. This research mainly focused on the clinical characteristics of the patients co-infected with aspergillosis.

RESULTS

The occurrence of aspergillosis was 20.5% (104 cases) among 507 hepatic failure patients with fungal infection. Compared with other fungal infection in hepatic failure patients, the effective rate of antifungal therapy and the improvement rate of underlying disease were worse in patients with aspergillus infection (36.5% vs 57.8%, P = 0.000; 26.0% vs 36.7%, P = 0.049). Aspergillus fumigatus was the most common species among 108 fungal species. The species next to Aspergillus fumigatus were Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus. The mainly infected organ was lung and its clinical manifestation was atypical. Liver function could be improved with effective anti-fungus therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Diagnosis and treatment of aspergillosis is difficult in hepatic failure patients co-infected with aspergillosis. Early and effective antifungal therapy is helpful to the recovery of liver function in the hepatic failure patients suspected with aspergillosis co-infection.

[Improved experimental varicocele increases follicle-stimulating hormone and reduces inhibin B in rats]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of improved experimental left varicocele (ELV) on follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and inhibin B (InhB).

METHODS

ELV models were established by the improved method in 30 SD rats, and another 30 were included in a sham operation group as controls. Three months after the operation, the concentrations of the FSH and InhB were assayed by ELISA.

RESULTS

The concentration of FSH in the serum was significantly higher in the experimental group ([37.56 +/- 9.72] ng/ml) than in the control ([26.69 +/- 5.33] ng/ml) (P < 0.05), while that of InhB significantly lower in the former ([349.93 +/- 99.48] pg/ml) than in the latter ([768. 83 +/- 146.96] pg/ml) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Improved ELV can increase FSH and reduce InhB in rats, which may be associated with subfertility.

[Analysis the relationship of HBV BCP A1762T/G1764A double mutation with HBV related acute on chronic liver failure]

OBJECTIVE

To analysis the relationship between HBV BCP A1762T/G1764A double mutation with acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF).

METHODS

HBV BCP A1762T/G1764A double mutation was detected in 166 HBV chronic infection patients by nested PCR and direct DNA sequencing. The mutation rate was compared among the patients with different disease course.

RESULTS

Among 166 patients, 45 patients, 45 patients, 49 patients and 27 patients were diagnosed as chronic hepatitis B (CHB), liver cirrhosis (LC), ACLF and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), respectively. A1762T/G1764A double mutation rate was 40.0% (18/45), 84.4% (38/45), 73.5% (36/49) and 92.6% (25/27) respectively in different groups. However, A1762T/G1764A double mutation rate has no difference between ACLF based on CHB and LC (P = 0.502) and between patients with HBeAg positive and negative (P = 0.735). HBV DNA level (log) of patients with A1762T/G1764A double mutation was 5.68 +/- 1.36, lower than but having no significant statistic difference compared to patients without the double mutation (6.14 +/- 1.81, P = 0.075).

CONCLUSION

A1762T/G1764A double mutation has a close relationship with the progress of HBV-infection diseases, but is not specific to patients with ACLF. And patients with BCP double mutation have similar HBV DNA levels and HBeAg status with patients without the double mutation.

Impact of hepatitis B virus infection on outcome following resection for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the prognosis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection following surgical resection.

METHODS

The clinico-pathological data of 40 consecutive ICC patients including 29 patients with HBV infection were analyzed after surgical resection.

RESULTS

Of all 40 ICC patients, the overall 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rates and a median survival for 29 (74.4%) patients with current or previous HBV infection were 78.9%, 42.8%, 35.7%, and 32.0 months, respectively. Twenty-nine (74.4%) patients with HBV infection, represented by HBsAg(+) or anti-HBc(+), had a better prognosis than 10(25%) patients without HBV infection represented by all markers-negative. Compared with 10 (25%) patients without HBV infection, 11 (27.5%) ICC patients with HBsAg(+) had a better prognosis as well. Additionally, lymph node metastasis were identified as an independent predictors of poor overall survival on multivariate analysis in the study of all the 40 patients and 29 patients with HBV infection.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with current or previous HBV infection, represented by HBsAg+ or anti-HBc+, had significantly better prognosis than patients without HBV infection. Patients with HBV infection should be distinguished from other ICC patients, because of their favorable outcome after surgery.

[Cardiac troponin I testing for the prognosis of non-cardiogenic critically ill patients]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of cardiac troponin I (CTN I) for predicting 28-day mortality of non-cardiogenic critically ill patients at emergency department (ED).

METHODS

A total of 431 non-cardiogenic critically ill patients at ED were prospectively enrolled and blood samples obtained for CTN I measurements. A variety of laboratory variables and the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores were recorded. At Day 28, the survival status of each patient was ascertained and the association between CTN I at presentation and mortality assessed.

RESULTS

Two hundred patients had elevated CTN I levels and 231 had normal levels. Compared with those with normal levels, the patients with elevated CTN I levels had a higher 28-day mortality. The CTN I concentration alone had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.733 for mortality prediction. The optimal CTN I cut-off point for predicting the 28-day mortality was 0.05 ng/L. By multivariate analysis, an elevated CTN I level (> 0.05 ng/L, HR 1.979, 95% CI 1.398 - 2.802, P < 0.001), a high APACHE II score (> 16, HR 4.428, 95% CI 3.019 - 6.494, P < 0.001) and hypoalbuminemia (< 25 g/L, HR 1.812, 95% CI 1.276 - 2.573, P = 0.001) were the three most important independent predictors for a shorter survival. Combination analysis showed a shorter survival in patients with a high APACHE II score plus elevated CTN I levels than those with a high APACHE II score or an elevated CTN I level alone.

CONCLUSION

An elevated serum CTN I level is a independent predictor of 28-day mortality in non-cardiogenic critically ill patients. And CTN I level and APACHE II score have an additive effect in outcome prediction.

Twinning structures in near-stoichiometric lithium niobate single crystals

A near-stoichiometric lithium niobate single crystal has been grown by the Czochralski method in a hanging double crucible with a continuous powder supply system. Twins were found at one of the three characteristic growth ridges of the as-grown crystal. The twin structure was observed and analyzed by transmission synchrotron topography. The image shifts ΔXand ΔYin the transmission synchrotron topograph were calculated for the 3{\overline 2}{\overline 1}2 and 0\overline 222 reflections based on results from high-resolution X-ray diffractometry. It is confirmed that one of the {01{\overline 1}{\overline 2}}mplanes is the composition face of the twin and matrix crystals. The formation mechanism of these twins is discussed.

[Mitochondrial function score combined with Gleason score for predicting the progression of prostate cancer]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the mitochondrial function score in combination with Gleason score in predicting the progression of prostate cancer.

METHODS

This study included twenty 58-79 (70.1 +/- 1.2) years old patients with prostate cancer treated by radical prostatectomy. The epithelioglandular mitochondrial function scores of the patients were obtained under the transmission electron microscope and assessed according to Flameng grading. Meanwhile, their Gleason scores were analyzed and, based on the scores, the patients were divided into Groups I (Gleason score: 2 -4) and II (Gleason score: 5 -7).

RESULTS

The mitochondrial function score of Group I was significantly different from that of Group II (4.0 +/- 0.8 versus 2.3 +/- 0.6, P < 0.05), with a negative correlation with the Gleason score (r = -0.793, P < 0.05). One year follow-up showed a significantly lower mortality in Group I (0/8) than in Group II (6/12) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Mitochondrial dysfunction exists in prostate cancer patients, particularly in those with higher malignancy. The mitochondrial function score combined with Gleason score plays a valuable role in predicting the progression of prostate cancer.

Isoeugenol monooxygenase and its putative regulatory gene are located in the eugenol metabolic gene cluster in Pseudomonas nitroreducens Jin1

The plant-derived phenylpropanoids eugenol and isoeugenol have been proposed as useful precursors for the production of natural vanillin. Genes involved in the metabolism of eugenol and isoeugenol were clustered in region of about a 30 kb of Pseudomonas nitroreducens Jin1. Two of the 23 ORFs in this region, ORFs 26 (iemR) and 27 (iem), were predicted to be involved in the conversion of isoeugenol to vanillin. The deduced amino acid sequence of isoeugenol monooxygenase (Iem) of strain Jin1 had 81.4% identity to isoeugenol monooxygenase from Pseudomonas putida IE27, which also transforms isoeugenol to vanillin. Iem was expressed in E. coli BL21(DE3) and was found to lead to isoeugenol to vanillin transformation. Deletion and cloning analyses indicated that the gene iemR, located upstream of iem, is required for expression of iem in the presence of isoeugenol, suggesting it to be the iem regulatory gene. Reverse transcription, real-time PCR analyses indicated that the genes involved in the metabolism of eugenol and isoeugenol were differently induced by isoeugenol, eugenol, and vanillin.

Epidemiology of Triple Negative Breast Cancer in China

Background:The classification of tumors based on the gene expression may define intrinsic breast cancer subtypes in which the effect of risk factors could be more obvious. We sought to assess the risk factors for triple negative breast cancer on Chinese population.Methods: A retrospective study of 5761 patients was carried out from a large database of breast cancer patients undergoing surgery between January 1, 1991 and June 31, 2008 in Cancer Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China. Univariate analyses were performed by chi-square test of Student's t test and multivariate analyses by logistic regression.Results: A total of 1108 women were identified as having triple negative breast cancer and were compared with the 4653 women with non-triple negative. Regardless the pathological discrepancy, women with triple negative breast cancers were significantly more likely to be younger age(P=0.001; OR=1.615, 95%CI=1.207-2.160), premenopausal (P = 0.003; OR = 1.570, 95% CI = 1.171-2.106) and parous women (P = 0.001; OR = 1.741, 95% CI = 1.269-2.387).There seems no associations with increasing risk of triple negative breast cancer for breastfeeding (P=0.126), younger age at menarche (P=0.129), first degree family history (P=0.111) and oral contraceptive usage (P=0.251).Conclusion:Based on this large population study in Chinese breast cancer patients, the risk factors for triple negative phenotype may be somewhat different from those for Western women. Therefore, a better knowledge of this issue is warranted due to it may have impact on clinical outcomes and may offer some insight into the process of carcinogenesis and therapeutic efficacy.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 2065.